Seal for pipe joints



June 3, 1947. w. J. SUTTON Er AL 2,421,659

SEAL FQR PIPE JOINTS Filed Oct. 6, 1945 Z0 7 l7- l9 8 23 1/9 23 5: 29

INVENTORS d agngn C. Simpson W1 11am J Sution A TTORNLYS Patented June 3, 1947 2,421,659 SEAL FOR PIPE JOINTS William J. Sutton and Benjamin C. Simpson, Houston, Tex., assignors to Wilson Supply Company, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application October 6, 1945, Serial No. 620,706

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in unions.

()ne object of the invention is to provide an improved union for tubular conductors, such as pipes, involving a simple and effective fluidpressure sealing means, whereby ground joints and close tolerances are avoided and eilicient sealing at high pressures is provided.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved union wherein expensive machining is eliminated and highly eflicient scaling is obtained with a new and novel sealing unit.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved union including coupling members and a packing unit may be inserted and removed transversely of the coupling without spreading said coupling members.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved sealing unit for a union adapted to be disposed between flat end faces of the coupling members and including an intermediate fluidpressure seal ring supported between concentric rings so as to respond to fluid pressure and seal against said faces.

'A constructon designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1- is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a union constructed in accordance with-the invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary isometrical view of the seal ring,

Fig. 3 is an isometrical view of the shield ring, and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary isometrical view of the outer retaining ring.

In the drawings, the numeral Ill designates one of the coupling members of the union and I l, the other coupling member thereof. These members are coupled by a nut or collar l2 and a packing or sealing unit A is confined between the members and surrounded by the collar. The foregoing elements make up the union and its simplicity is obvious.

The member ID is formed with an axial bore l3 which is partially screw-threaded in the usual manner to the end of a pipe or other conductor to which said member is adapted to be attached. At its inner end the member ID is provided with an outwardly directed annular flange M, which is flush with the inner end of the member, whereby a flatend face I5 is formed. The outer periphery of the flange is formed with coarse screw-. threads l6.

The coupling II is made with an axial bore l1 complementary to the bore 13 and is partially screw-threaded as is common in this art. At its inner end the member is provided with an outwardly directed annular flange l8 which is flush with the inner end of the member, whereby a fiat end face I! complementary to the face I5 is formed. The collar I2 has an annular bore which is provided with coarse screw-threads 2| at one end and with an inwardly directed annular flange 22 at its opposite end. The diameter of the bore 20 is ample to permit the collar to be freely shifted longitudinally of the member ll and its flange I8, so that when the threads 2| are screwed into the threads l6, the overhanging, flange 22 will engage the flange l8 and unite the coupling members.

The packing unit A includes an outer retaining ring 23 and an inner shield ring 24 with a fluidpressure sealring therebetween. The rings 23 r and 24 may be made of metal or any other material suitable for the purpose; while the seal ring 25 may be formed of any suitable elastic or flexible material, such as synthetic rubber. The retaining ring is preferably wider than the shield ring and is provided in its inner face with an annular medial groove or recess 26. All three rings are of substantially the same thickness so that their flat faces may intimately contact the flat end faces l5 and IQ of the couplin members.

. The retaining ring is of such diameter as to cause beyond the lips and is sealed in an annular groove 30, formed in the outer periphery of the shield ring 24. The bead 21 and the rib 29 support the seal ring between the retaining and shield rings and also, tie the three rings together as a unit.

The rib 29 spaces the annular edges of the lips 28 sufficiently from the shield ring to permit a pressure fluid flowing through the union and bypassing between the shield ring and the end faces l and I9, to act against said lips on each side of the rib and expand said lips into fluidtight contact with the end faces l5 and I9. The rings being assembled as a unit are readily and easily installed. It is not necessary to machine the faces l5 and I9 and the flat faces of the rings 23 and 24 to a fine finish or to grind or hone them to form ground joints.

The outer retaining ring 23 is slightly greater in thickness than the inner shield ring 24. This permits a metal-to-metal contact between the ring 23 and the end faces and I9 and also, provides an adequate backing for the seal ring and prevents high fluid pressures from forcing the seal ring radially out of place or extruding its outer edges between the ring' 23 and the coupling members. By making the ring 24 slightly less in thickness than the ring 23, the shield ring becomes, to a slight degree, a floating ring which will shield the seal ring from the abrasive effect of a fluid flowing through the union and at the same time allow sufficient pressure fluid to by-pass and expand the lips 28.

The collar I2 is provided with the usual exterior wrench faces 3.! so it may be turned with a suitable tool. It is not necessary to tighten the collar to a high degree, but only to such an extent as to bring the faces l5 and I9 into contact with the ring 23 and to prevent vibration from loosenin the coupling. When the collar I2 is loosened and slid back on the member II, an unobstructed space is left between the faces I-5 and i9 and thus, the unit A may be freely inserted transversely therebetween or removed transversely therefrom,'without spreading the members II and I2 apart. This is a very advantageous feature as it makes for ready and expeditious coupling and uncoupling.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the dewithin the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim and desire to secure by Let- 4 tails of the illustrated construction may be made, 7

having a medial annular bead on its outer periphery and an inwardly extending annular medial rib in its bore, and inwardly directed annular sealing lips on each side of said rib.

2. A packing unit for a union including, an outer'ring, an inner ring disposed concentrically within the outer ring, and an elastic seal ring between the outer and inner rings having pro- Jections engagin in said rings for holding aid rings together, and inwardly directed annular lips free to expand under fluid pressure.

3. A packing unit for a union including, an outer ring, an inner ring disposed concentrically within the outer ring, and an elastic seal ring between the outer and inner rings having projections engaging in said rings for holding said rings together, and inwardly directed annular lips free to expand under fluid pressure, the outer ring being of greater thickness than the inner ring, whereby the inner ring is free to float when.

the outer ring is confined between couplingmembers.

having an external annular bead engaging in the recess of the outer ring and an internal annular rib engaging in the groove of the inner ring,-

whereby said rings are held together as a. unit,

the seal ring having internal annular fluid pressure sealing lips.

WILLIAMI J. SUTTON. BENJAMIN C. SIMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in' the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 401,262 Frisbie Apr. 9, 1889 2,318,112 Stillwagon May 4, 1943 2,087,179 Barker July 13, 1937 1,359,142 Allison Nov. 16, 1920 

